Nova S42E20: English vocabulary

the act of forcing a decision, plan, or deal through quickly and unfairly

a small, soft light or shine

in a way that follows custom or accepted practice

spanning across a continent

to flow slowly through small holes or a porous material

one of the branched bony growths on a deer, elk, or moose

a scientist who studies fossils and the history of life on Earth

to cause a lot of damage or harm

a person who settles in a new colony or area

unable to breathe normally, often because of hard exercise, shock, or excitement

to put something firmly inside or into something else

the science of how bullets, shells, and other projectiles move through the air

more able or skilled than someone or something else

a curved sword with one sharp edge

to gently and persistently persuade someone to do something

a person who grows crops or plants for sale

funny or unusual in a slightly odd way

very dangerous or risky

a wide open area of land, sea, or sky

the long bone in the upper part of the leg

to question someone closely for a long time, especially in an official or forceful way

relating to the movement and structure of the Earth's crust

something that makes a surface, line, or shape even or level

small bits or pieces left after something has been scraped away

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

to take the place of something or someone

the land along the sea; the coast

a tall structure used for lifting heavy equipment or drilling for oil

showing toughness, courage, and determination

to attract or tempt someone by making something seem appealing

so attractive, pleasant, or tempting that it is hard to refuse

a person from California

the pointed metal tip of a spear

kissing and touching someone in a sexual way

fine mud or sand carried by water and left behind as sediment

to make it harder for something to happen or continue

the hard foot of an animal such as a horse, deer, or cow

to a very great degree; deeply

in a loving or caring way

a large sea mammal with thick skin, long tusks, and whiskers

a member of the Franciscan religious order

a hard mineral often used in jewelry and clocks

courage and determination to keep going in a difficult situation

to force someone to do something, or make them feel they must do it

looking weak, unhealthy, or slightly ill

living a life of moving from place to place

the act of removing weeds from a garden or other area

a small lump of gold or another precious metal found in the ground

able to move quickly and easily

a natural ability for doing something well

tiny organisms that float in water and are eaten by many sea animals

making you feel very cold; cold enough to make you shiver

to move very slowly and carefully in a particular direction

continuing without stopping or weakening

a person who does hard physical work for a living

damaged so badly that it has split open or torn

a flat area of land with steep sides and a flat top

the act of moving along without using power

moving with quick, light jumps

melted by heat and in a liquid state

locked with a key

one of the people who helped found an important country or organization

to make something sharp or sharper

a hidden store of things kept for later use

a slang word for marijuana

to make someone very interested or curious

moving or walking with quick, light steps

a person who studies human societies, cultures, and how they change over time

the act of adding salt to food or water

to treat someone in a cruel or insulting way

a large wild animal like a cow, with a big head and shaggy front shoulders

to wear away or slowly destroy something over time

smoothed by rubbing with sandpaper

extremely good, impressive, or surprising

a hormone that your body releases when you are stressed or excited

clear and strong, and hard to ignore